The History of Long Hollow Ranch

Nestled in the heart of Central Oregon, Long Hollow Ranch boasts a rich history that dates back to the early 1900s, beginning with the formation of the Black Butte Land & Livestock Company (BBL&L Co.) in 1902. This company became the largest outfit in the Five Canyons area, encompassing five ranches: Long Hollow Ranch, Swamp Ranch (now Black Butte Ranch Resort), Rivers Ranch (near the Metolius River, now under Lake Billy Chinook), Nye Ranch, Grandview, and the Squaw Flat Ranch in Geneva. One of the company's co-owners, ‘Lige’ Sparks, had homesteaded part of Long Hollow Canyon, forever tying his legacy to the ranch.

The first building on Long Hollow Ranch property is the Bunkhouse, a structure dating back to the 1800s. When BBL&L Co. took over the land, they constructed the Ranch House in 1905 as the main headquarters and converted the original building into a bunkhouse for cowboys. The Homestead House, another original structure, served as a general store, supplying the ranch with dry goods, clothing, and repair parts for wagons and teams.

The ranch was a self-sufficient operation, producing everything from fresh and cured meats to eggs, milk, and butter. Long Hollow provided for all five BBL&L ranches, even making its own soap. It was a hard-working place with no interior plumbing, and the only facilities were outhouses—one of which still stands today near the main house. The ranch's blacksmith shop, still standing today, houses our goats and chickens, offering visitors a glimpse of the tools once used by early ranch hands.

At its peak, BBL&L Co. owned 2,200 head of cattle and over 10,000 sheep, with a summer range spanning from Sparks Lake in the high Cascades to the Metolius River. Sheep were brought to Long Hollow every June for shearing, with workers shearing about 1,000 sheep a day. The wool was packed into 350-pound sacks and hauled by freight wagons to Shaniko, the nearest railroad stop. The ranch operated using draft horses, primarily Belgians and Percherons, and their large stalls can still be seen in the main barn today.

One of the more notable figures in Long Hollow's history was Arnold Sovereign Holmes (A.S. Holmes), who became the Foreman of BBL&L Co. in 1910. Arnold, originally from Nova Scotia, had a background as a blacksmith and worked at several ranches before settling at Long Hollow. Arnold and his wife, Ida Priday, made Long Hollow their home, raising their family on the ranch for many years.

The ranch's location along the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Military Road made it a popular stopping point for travelers. Whether on horseback or driving livestock, visitors would often stop at Long Hollow to rest, eat, and water their animals. The military road, though far from well-maintained, provided a direct route between Sisters and Prineville, and the local post office was located in Prineville, then the largest town in the area.

In 1918, the Black Butte Land & Livestock Company was dissolved, and A.S. Holmes received part of Long Hollow, including the ranch buildings, as his share. The rest of the land was sold to homesteaders moving westward, marking the beginning of a new chapter for Long Hollow Ranch. Over time, the name Long Hollow faded, and the ranch became known as the Holmes Ranch.

The Holmes family continued ranching much as they had under BBL&L, though on a smaller scale. They dug irrigation ditches using workhorses to bring water from the newly formed Squaw Creek Irrigation District. Their supplies were ordered in bulk during annual trips to Redmond. Community events, especially the 4th of July picnic, were an integral part of ranch life, with the Holmes family hosting gatherings until 1930.

Today, Long Hollow Ranch stands as a testament to its rich history, with its original structures, including the bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, and draft stalls, still intact. These buildings tell the story of a time when self-sufficiency, hard work, and community were the cornerstones of ranch life. Come visit us to experience the legacy of Long Hollow Ranch and see the timeless beauty of our historic property.

The Legacy of Long Hollow Ranch

The Holmes Ranch eventually reverted to its original name, Long Hollow, and today it operates as a guest ranch. Many of the buildings from the Black Butte Land and Livestock Company and Holmes Ranch era remain, offering a glimpse into the past.

In the mid-1960s, ranchers were informed that future cattle drives would have to be carried out by trucking cattle, rather than herding them across the land. This shift was due to the high cost and inefficiency of old cattle drive methods, combined with the government's cutback on summer rangelands. This marked the end of the long cattle drives that had been a staple of life in Central Oregon. One of the last traditional cattle drives in Central Oregon occurred in 1960. A reporter from the Redmond Spokesman even rode along on that final cattle drive, capturing a historic moment for the region.

The ranch went into a period of decline during the 1970s and 80s, but in the early 1990s, the Bloofeldt family purchased the land and began slowly bringing it back to life. Over the next 20-plus years, they worked tirelessly to transform Long Hollow into a dude ranch—one of the first of its kind in Central Oregon. The Bloofeldts dedicated themselves to restoring the ranch, preserving its history while modernizing it for future generations of visitors.

In 2020, the Bloofeldts retired, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, transformation, and the enduring spirit of Long Hollow Ranch. Today, the ranch continues to offer guests an opportunity to experience the beauty and history of Central Oregon, carrying forward the traditions of the past while providing modern-day comforts and adventure.

Long Hollow Ranch Today

Long Hollow Ranch has undergone some management changes over the years and is now a thriving cattle ranch with its own herd of cattle. In addition to continuing its legacy as a working ranch, the property has expanded its offerings to include wedding venues, a dude ranch, and hosting a variety of events such as concerts, corporate retreats, and family reunions.

As the story of the ranch continues to unfold, we are incredibly grateful to have you as a part of what keeps us going and helps keep the history alive. Thank you for staying at Long Hollow Ranch and for being a part of this incredible journey!